Germany's Lukas Podolski was named by FIFA on Friday as the best young player of the World Cup. The 21-year-old Polish-born striker was chosen ahead of Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo.
Germany coach Jurgen Klinsmann selected Podolski as part of a
drive to field a new young team at the World Cup. He scored three goals, playing a key role in helping the host nation to reach the semi-final where they were beaten by Italy.
"It is a great motivation to go on playing and become more
successful", Podolski said after receiving the award at a press
conference. "I would have liked to take home another trophy (the World Cup) but this is a great honour for me."
Podolski won because of the efficiency of his play, his skills
and the fun he brought to the game, Holger Osieck said, who heads the FIFA Technical Study Group: "He not only scored three goals, he was a key element in Germany's attack. He showed a great understanding with Miroslav Klose and the two players formed a very effective partnership. Together, they netted eight of Germany's 11 goals."
Podolski played with FC Cologne last year but after they were
relegated to the second division he joined champions Bayern Munich. He has now scored 15 goals from 31 appearances with the national team.
Three players from the shortlist for the award were chosen by
just under one million fans voting through the official World Cup
Internet site - Ronaldo, Luis Valencia of Ecuador and Lionel Messi of Argentina.
Podolski, Tranquillo Barnetta of Switzerland and Spain's Cesc
Fabregas were selected by the Technical Study group. The patron of the award, Lothar Matthaus, Germany's most capped player who is now coaching Salzburg in the Austrian league, said
Podolski had a bright future. "He fulfilled all the criteria. He brought fun to his football."
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Germany's Lukas Podolski was named by FIFA on Friday as the best young player of the World Cup. The 21-year-old Polish-born striker was chosen ahead of Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo.
Germany coach Jurgen Klinsmann selected Podolski as part of a
drive to field a new young team at the World Cup. He scored three goals, playing a key role in helping the host nation to reach the semi-final where they were beaten by Italy.
"It is a great motivation to go on playing and become more
successful", Podolski said after receiving the award at a press
conference. "I would have liked to take home another trophy (the World Cup) but this is a great honour for me."
Podolski won because of the efficiency of his play, his skills
and the fun he brought to the game, Holger Osieck said, who heads the FIFA Technical Study Group: "He not only scored three goals, he was a key element in Germany's attack. He showed a great understanding with Miroslav Klose and the two players formed a very effective partnership. Together, they netted eight of Germany's 11 goals."
Podolski played with FC Cologne last year but after they were
relegated to the second division he joined champions Bayern Munich. He has now scored 15 goals from 31 appearances with the national team.
Three players from the shortlist for the award were chosen by
just under one million fans voting through the official World Cup
Internet site - Ronaldo, Luis Valencia of Ecuador and Lionel Messi of Argentina.
Podolski, Tranquillo Barnetta of Switzerland and Spain's Cesc
Fabregas were selected by the Technical Study group. The patron of the award, Lothar Matthaus, Germany's most capped player who is now coaching Salzburg in the Austrian league, said
Podolski had a bright future. "He fulfilled all the criteria. He brought fun to his football."
